Phantom pregnancy is a rare condition in which a woman who is mentally stable starts to believe and experience the symptoms of pregnancy even though in actuality she is not pregnant. The medical terminology for phantom pregnancy is pseudocyesis. People also refer it as false pregnancy or hysterical pregnancy.
A woman who experiences phantom pregnancy may have similar symptoms of pregnancy such as absence of menses, weight gain, swollen belly, early morning vomiting, breast tenderness, and raised level of certain hormones. This condition mainly prevails in young women between the ages 25 to 39 years.
False pregnancy mainly occurs in women who are not able to conceive or may have frequent miscarriages. The symptoms develop when they see their friends and relatives becoming pregnant, but they are unable to conceive. With modern day techniques such as ultrasound and blood test it becomes easier to convince such woman that they are not pregnant. However, most women suffering from this condition need the help of an obstetrician as well as psychiatrist.
Causes Of Phantom Pregnancy
Phantom pregnancy is a rare condition. It is prevalent among women of reproductive age group. Usually women in their mid twenties and thirties experience false pregnancy features.
Certain psychological factors may trick the body to think that it is pregnant. This condition is noted in women who have intense desire to become pregnant, especially those who are infertile or may be having repeated miscarriages. This desire may fool the brain to produce certain hormones which may lead to symptoms of pregnancy.
The condition is known since ancient times. Hippocrates was first person to describe it. Phantom pregnancy affects woman of all races and every strata of society. Prevalence is higher in woman living in developing countries where pressure to produce child is much more. It is also common in immigrants living in developed countries.
Symptoms Of Phantom Pregnancy
The symptoms of phantom pregnancy are described by the woman in all way that resembles actual pregnancy. However, even if the symptoms match, there is no fetus in the womb. But the woman concerned is absolutely sure about her pregnancy. Physically the belly may become distended and it may appear similar to a baby bump.
In false pregnancy, the expanded belly is usually caused by excess deposition of fat and accumulation of gas. The second most common symptom is absence of menses or irregularity of menses. Most women with false pregnancy feel the baby kicking in her womb even though the baby is not present. The other characteristic symptoms are:
- Early morning vomiting
- Nausea
- Weight gain
- Change in breast size and increased tenderness of breast.
- There may be associated dark pigmentation around the areola and nipple.
- Some woman may start lactating. This may occur as a result of over secretion of prolactin hormone.
These symptoms may last for few weeks or months before the woman realizes of her phantom pregnancy.
How To Deal With Phantom Pregnancy Patients?
Phantom pregnancies are becoming less nowadays partly because of increase in diagnostic accuracy. The most common way to ensure whether the woman is pregnant or she is having false pregnancy is with the help of ultrasound imaging and blood test for human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).
Once pregnancy is not detected, the woman has to be told about the truth, although it may take some time for her to believe in reality. After knowing the fact, the signs and symptoms of pregnancy soon starts disappearing. In some cases the woman may feel depressed. Hence patient may need help of psychiatrist together with an obstetrician.